Cotton module cover

ABSTRACT

A cover for protecting at least a portion of a cotton module from wind, rain, etc. The cover includes a cap for covering the top of a cotton module. The cap may be formed by a top member, side wall members attached to the top member and depending downwardly therefrom, and end wall members attached to the top member and depending downwardly therefrom. The angle between the bottom surface of the top member and the inside surfaces of at least the upper portion of each of the wall members may be greater than 90 degrees. Securing structure for securing the cap to the cotton module may include an upper securing strap for securing the cap to the cotton module at a point slightly below the top of the cotton module, and a lower securing strap for securing the cap to the cotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securing strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to cotton module covers andmore specifically to a cotton module cover including upper and lowersecuring means.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is now common practice in many cotton producing areas to compressfreshly picked cotton into cotton modules and to leave such cottonmodules in the field where the cotton was picked until it is time totransport the cotton to a cotton gin for further processing. Morespecifically, cotton is typically picked using a mechanical cottonpicker, and then dumped directly into the opened top of a mechanicalcotton compacting unit for forming a tightly compacted cotton module.While the shape and size of such cotton modules may vary, they typicallyhave a substantially rectangular base about 32 feet (9.7 meters) longand 7 feet (2.1 meters) wide, with a height of about 7.5 feet (2.25meters). The sides and ends of most cotton modules slope slightlyinwardly to give cotton modules a slight trapezoid shape.

Since a cotton module may be left in the field for many weeks before itis picked up and transported to a cotton gin, it is usually desirable tocover the cotton module with water-proof or water-resistant fabric orthe like to at least partially protect the cotton module from the windand rain, etc. Flat, water-proof tarpaulins have been used in the pastto cover and protect cotton modules. Such tarpaulins are typicallysecured to the cotton modules with spikes, ropes, weights, or the like.

Kandarian, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,385, issued Sep. 3, 1985, discloses aprotective cover for a cotton module comprising a water repellent capportion adapted to fit about the top of the module, an air permeableskirt portion connected to and depending from the cap portion andadapted to encircle the mid-portion of the module; and a belt fastenedabout the perimeter of the skirt portion for securing the cover aboutthe module without intrusion into the module surface, the belt havingD-rings on one end and a tongue on the other end to allow the belt to becinched about the module.

Goldberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,363, issued Sep. 26, 1989, discloses acombination cotton module cover and catenary hold down comprising ahorizontal waterproof top sheet for covering the top of the cottonmodule; flexible side wall sheets secured to the top sheet to partiallyoverlay the side walls of the module, the side wall sheets having agenerally horizontal bottom edge; at least three loops secured to thebottom edge of each side wall and extending downwardly from the bottomedge of each side wall, at least one loop located near the center ofeach side wall being shorter than the other loops; and a cord passingthrough the loops and about the cotton module to secure the cover to themodule, the cord coacting with the loops to form a catenary curve alongthe side walls of the cotton module.

Nothing in the above prior art discloses or suggests the presentinvention. More specifically, nothing in the above prior art disclosesor suggests a cover for protecting at least a portion of a cottonmodule, the cover including a cap for covering the top of a cottonmodule; upper securing means for securing the cap to the cotton moduleat a point slightly below the top of the cotton module; and lowersecuring means for securing the cap to the cotton module at a spaceddistance below the upper securing means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward providing an improved cottonmodule cover. The concept of the present invention is to provide acotton module cover with an upper securing means which encircles atleast a portion the cotton module at a point slightly below the top ofthe cotton module, and with a lower securing means which encircles atleast a portion of the cotton module at a spaced distance below theupper securing means.

The cover of the present invention includes, in general, a cap forcovering the top of a cotton module; upper securing means for securingthe cap to the cotton module at a point slightly below the top of thecotton module; and lower securing means for securing the cap to thecotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securing means.

The cap may be constructed so that the angle between the bottom surfaceof the top member of the cap and the inside surface of at least theupper portion of each of the wall members of the cap is greater than 90degrees whereby the cap can be sized to substantially perfectly fit overthe top of a typically trapezoidal shaped cotton module to eliminate anyvoid space between the cap and the cotton module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the cotton modulecover of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the firstembodiment of the cotton module cover of the present invention from theopposite end.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view substantially as taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 1on an enlarged scale and with certain portions omitted for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view substantially as taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 1on an enlarged scale and with certain portions omitted for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view substantially as taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 1on an enlarged scale and with certain portions omitted for clarity.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the preferred embodiment ofthe binding strap securing means of the cotton module cover of FIG. 1shown in a completely opened position.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar to FIG. 6 but show the binding strap securingmeans thereof in partially secured positions.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 but shows the binding strapsecuring means in a fully secured position.

FIG. 10 is a somewhat diagrammatic transverse cross section of thecotton module cover of FIG. 1 with portions thereof omitted and brokenaway for clarity, and positioned above a cotton module.

FIG. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic longitudinal cross section of thecotton module cover of FIG. 1 with portions thereof omitted and brokenaway for clarity, and positioned above a cotton module.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cottonmodule cover of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 but showing the secondembodiment of the cotton module cover of the present invention from theopposite end.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view substantially as taken on line 14--14 ofFIG. 12 on an enlarged scale and with certain portions omitted forclarity.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view substantially as taken on line 15--15 ofFIG. 12 on an enlarged scale and with certain portions omitted forclarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The cotton module cover of the present invention is for use with atypical cotton module 13 to protect at least a portion of the cottonmodule 13 from wind, rain, etc.

A typical cotton module 13 has a top 15, a first side wall 17, a secondside wall 19, a first end wall 21, and a second end wall 23. Such acotton module 13 is preferably constructed by use of a typical cottonmodule builder such as the self-propelled module builder disclosed byHaney et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,425, issued Jan. 22, 1980. While suchcotton modules 13 may be various shapes and sizes, a typical cottonmodule 13 is substantially block-like and has a rectangular base about32 feet (9.7 meters) long and 7 feet (2.1 meters) wide, with a height ofabout 7.5 feet (2.25 meters). The inside angle between the top 15 andside walls 17, 19 of such typical cotton modules 13 is commonly greaterthan 90 degrees as indicated by the arrows 25 in FIG. 10 whereby thecotton module 13 has a trapezoid shape when viewed from either end.Likewise, the inside angle between the top and end walls 21, 23 of suchtypical cotton modules is commonly greater than 90 degrees as indicatedby the arrows 27 in FIG. 11 whereby the cotton module 13 also has atrapezoid shape when viewed from either side.

A first preferred embodiment cotton module cover of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 1-11 and identified by the numeral 28. Thecover 28 is for use with a typical cotton module 13 to protect at leasta portion of the cotton module 13 from wind, rain, etc.

The cover 28 includes a cap 29 for covering the top 15 of the cottonmodule 13. The cap 29 preferably includes a top member 31 for coveringthe top 15 of the cotton module 13, a first side wall member 33 attachedto the top member 31 and depending downwardly from the top member 31 forcovering at least a portion of the first side wall 17 of the cottonmodule 13, a second side wall member 35 attached to the top member 31and depending downwardly from the top member 31 for covering at least aportion of the second side wall 19 of the cotton module 13, a first endwall member 37 attached to the top member 31 and depending downwardlyfrom the top member 31 for covering at least a portion of the first endwall 21 of the cotton module 13, and a second end wall member 39attached to the top member 31 and depending downwardly from the topmember 31 for covering at least a portion of the second end wall 23 ofthe cotton module 13. Each side wall member 33, 35 is preferably of alength to extend down from the top 15 of the cotton module 13 a distanceof approximately one fifth or so of the height of the respective sidewall 17, 19 of the cotton module 13 when the cap 29 is positioned on acotton module 13. Each end wall member 37, 39 is preferably of a lengthto extend down from the top 15 of the cotton module 13 a distance ofapproximately four fifths or so of the height of the cotton module 13when the cap 29 is positioned on a cotton module 13. Flaps 41 may beattached to the side edges of each end wall member 37, 39 for extendingfrom the side edges of each end wall member 37, 39 a short distancearound each corner of the cotton module 13 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The cap 29 may be constructed out of a water-proof orwater-repellent sheet of canvas, plastic or the like in various sizesand in various manners as will now be apparent to those skilled in theart. Thus, the cap 29 may be cut, folded and sewn from one or more flatsheets of water-repellent fabric as will now be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Since a typical cotton module 13 has a trapezoidshape when viewed from either end or side, the cap 29 is preferablyconstructed so that the angle between the bottom surface 43 of the topmember 31 and the inside surfaces 45 of at least the upper portion ofthe wall members 33, 35, 37, 39 is greater than 90 degrees as indicatedby the arrows 47 in FIGS. 10 and 11 whereby the cap 29 can be sized tosubstantially perfectly fit over the top 15 of the cotton module 13 toeliminate any void space between the cap 29 and the cotton module 12.

The cover 28 includes securing means for securing the cap 29 to thecotton module 13. The securing means preferably includes an uppersecuring means 49 for securing the cap 29 to the cotton module 13 at apoint slightly below the top 15 of the cotton module 13, and a lowersecuring means 51 for securing the cap 29 to the cotton module 13 at aspaced distance below the upper securing means 49. The upper securingmeans 49 is preferably attached to at least one of the wall members 33,35, 37, 39 at a point slightly below the top member 31. Likewise, thelower securing means 51 is preferably attached to at least one of thewall members 33, 35, 37, 39 at a spaced distance below the uppersecuring means 49.

The cover 28 preferably includes an upper channel means on at least oneof the wall members 33, 35, 37, 39 at a point slightly below the topmember 31 for receiving a portion of the upper securing means 49. Theupper channel means preferably includes a first upper channel member 53on the first side wall member 33 at a point slightly below the topmember 31, and a second upper channel member 55 on the second side wallmember 35 at a point slightly below the top member 31. Each first andsecond upper channel members 53, 55 preferably has a passageway 57therethrough for receiving a portion of the upper securing means 49.More specifically, the upper securing means 49 preferably includes anelongated strap means 59 for extending through the passageways 57 in thefirst and second upper channel members 53, 55 and around the first andsecond end wall members 37, 39 to encircle a cotton module 13 at a pointslightly below the top 15 of the cotton module 13 as will now beapparent to those skilled in the art. Each upper channel member 53, 55may consist of a tube-like member constructed of an elongated length offabric, folded lengthwise and sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to thecap 29 as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Theelongated strap means 59 may consist of an elongated length of fabricwebbing, flat rope, or the like as will now be apparent to those skilledin the art.

The cover 28 preferably includes a lower channel means on at least oneof the wall members 33, 35, 37, 39 at a spaced distance below the upperchannel means for receiving a portion of the lower securing means 51.The lower channel means preferably includes a first lower channel member61 on the first end wall member 37 a spaced distance below the uppersecuring means 49, and a second lower channel member 63 on the secondend wall member 39 a spaced distance below the upper securing means 49.Each first and second lower channel members 61, 63 preferably has apassageway 65 therethrough for receiving a portion of the lower securingmeans 51. More specifically, the lower securing means 51 preferablyincludes an elongated strap means 67 for extending through thepassageways 65 in the first and second lower channel members 61, 63 andaround the first and second end wall members 37, 39 to encircle a cottonmodule 13 a spaced distance below the strap means 59 of the uppersecuring means 51 as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.Each lower channel member 61, 63 may consist of a tube-like memberconstructed of an elongated length of fabric, folded lengthwise and sewnor otherwise fixedly attached to the cap 29 as will now be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The elongated strap means 67 may consist of anelongated length of fabric webbing, flat rope, or the like as will nowbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

The cover 28 preferably includes hanger means for hanging the elongatedstrap means 67 of the lower securing means 51 from the elongated strapmeans 59 of the upper securing means 49. The hanger means preferablyincludes plurality of hanger members with each hanger member having anupper end for being coupled to the elongated strap means 59 of the uppersecuring means 49 and having a lower end for being coupled to theelongated strap means 67 of the lower securing means 51. Morespecifically, the hanger means preferably includes a first hanger member69 having an upper end 71 coupled to the elongated strap means 59 of theupper securing means 49 at a point along the first side wall 17 of acotton module 13 between the first end wall 21 of the cotton module 13and the center of the first side wall 17 of the cotton module 13, andhaving a lower end 73 coupled to the elongated strap means 67 of thelower securing means 51; a second hanger member 75 having an upper end77 coupled to the elongated strap means 59 of the upper securing means49 at a point along the first side wall 17 of the cotton module 13between the second end wall 23 of the cotton module 13 and the center ofthe first side wall 17 of the cotton module 13 and having a lower end 79coupled to the elongated strap means 67 of the lower securing means 51;a third hanger member 81 having an upper end 83 coupled to the elongatedstrap means 59 of the upper securing means 49 at a point along thesecond side wall 19 of a cotton module 13 between the first end wall 21of the cotton module 13 and the center of the second side wall 19 of thecotton module 13 and having a lower end 85 coupled to the elongatedstrap means 67 of the lower securing means 51; and a fourth hangermember 87 having an upper end 89 coupled to the elongated strap means 59of the upper securing means 49 at a point along the second side wall 19of the cotton module 13 between the second end wall 23 of the cottonmodule 13 and the center of the second side wall 19 of the cotton module13 and having a lower end 91 coupled to the elongated strap means 67 ofthe lower securing means 51. Each hanger member 69, 75, 81, 87 mayconsist simply of a loop or ring member or the like constructed out offabric, plastic, metal, or other substantially strong material havingone or two slots or openings therethrough for allowing the strap means59, 67 to extend therethrough as clearly shown in FIG. 5.

The first upper channel member 53 preferably has a first notch 93therein at a point along the first side wall member 33 between the firstend wall member 37 and the center of the first side wall member 33 forallowing the first hanger member 69 to extend therethrough into thepassageway 57 of the first upper channel member 53 and about theelongated strap means 59 of the upper securing means 49. The first upperchannel member 53 preferably has a second notch 95 therein at a pointalong the first side wall member 33 between the second end wall member39 and the center of the first side wall member 33 for allowing thesecond hanger member 75 to extend therethrough into the passageway 57 ofthe first upper channel member 53 and about the elongated strap means 59of the upper securing means 49. The second upper channel member 55preferably has a first notch 97 therein at a point along the second sidewall member 35 between the first end wall member 37 and the center ofthe second side wall member 35 for allowing the third hanger member 81to extend therethrough into the passageway 57 of the second upperchannel member 55 and about the elongated strap means 59 of the uppersecuring means 49. The second upper channel member 55 preferably has asecond notch 99 therein at a point along the second side wall member 35between the second end wall member 39 and the center of the second sidewall member 35 for allowing the fourth hanger member 87 to extendtherethrough into the passageway 57 of the second upper channel member55 and about the elongated strap means 59 of the upper securing means49.

The upper securing means 49 preferably includes upper fastening means101 for fastening the elongated strap means 59 of the upper securingmeans 49 about the perimeter of a cotton module 13. The elongated strapmeans 59 of the upper securing means 49 preferably has a first end 103and a second end 105 and the upper fastening means 101 is used toadjustably secure the first and second ends 103, 105 of the strap means59 together as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thespecific construction and operation of the upper fastening means 101 mayvary as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, forexample, the upper fastening means 101 may consist of various bucklesand the like, may merely consist of a knot tying the ends 103, 105together, etc. The upper fastening means 101 preferably includes a firstring means 107 attached to the first end 103 of the elongated strapmeans 59 of the upper securing means 49, a second ring means 109attached to the second end 105 of the elongated strap means 59 of theupper strap means 49, and tongue means 111 having a first end 113 forbeing attached to the first end 103 of the elongated strap means 59 ofthe upper securing means 49 and having a second end 115 for extendingfirst through the second ring means 109 of the upper fastening means 101and then through the first ring means 107 of the upper fastening means101 for causing the first and second ends 103, 105 of the elongatedstrap means 59 of the upper securing means 49 to be simultaneouslypulled in opposite directions toward one another as indicated by thearrows 117 in FIG. 9 when the tongue means 111 of the upper fasteningmeans 101 is pulled in one direction as indicated by the arrow 119 inFIG. 9.

The lower securing means 51 preferably includes lower fastening means121 for fastening the elongated strap means 67 of the lower securingmeans 51 about the perimeter of the cotton module 13. The elongatedstrap means 67 of the lower securing means 51 preferably has a first end123 and a second end 125 and the lower fastening means 121 is used toadjustably secure the first and second ends 123, 125 of the strap means67 together as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thespecific construction and operation of the lower fastening means 121 mayvary as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The lowerfastening means 121 is preferably identical in structure and operationto the upper fastening means 101 and reference should be made to theabove description of the upper fastening means 101 for a full andcomplete understanding of the preferred construction of the lowerfastening means 121.

As thus constructed, the cover 28 can be used with a typical cottonmodule 13 to protect at least a portion of the cotton module 13 fromwind, rain, etc. More specifically, the cap 29 can be merely placed overthe top 15 of the cotton module 13 with the first side wall member 33covering the upper portion of the first side wall 17, with the secondside wall member 35 covering the upper portion of the second side wall19, with the first end wall member 37 covering the upper and midportions of the first end wall 21, and with the second end wall member39 covering the upper and mid portions of the second end wall 23. Theupper and lower securing means 49, 51 can then be tightened about theperimeter of the cotton module 13 to secure the cap 29 over the top 15of the cotton module 13 as will now be apparent to those skilled in theart.

A second preferred embodiment of the cotton module cover of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 12-15 and identified by the numeral 2.28.The cover 2.28 is also for use with a typical cotton module 13 toprotect at least a portion of the cotton module 13 from wind, rain, etc.Many components and means of the cover 2.28 are similar or identical tocorresponding components and means of the cover 11 and such componentsand means will be identified by an identical numeral with the additionof the preface "2." and reference should be made to the abovedescription of the cover 28 for a more detailed description of suchcomponents and means.

The cover 2.28 includes a cap 2.29 for covering the top 15 of the cottonmodule 13. The cap 2.29 preferably includes a top member 2.31 forcovering the top 15 of the cotton module 13, a first side wall member2.33 attached to the top member 2.31 and depending downwardly from thetop member 2.31 for covering at least a portion of the first side wall17 of the cotton module 13, a second side wall member 2.35 attached tothe top member 2.31 and depending downwardly from the top member 2.31for covering at least a portion of the second side wall 19 of the cottonmodule 13, a first end wall member 2.37 attached to the top member 2.31and depending downwardly from the top member 2.31 for covering at leasta portion of the first end wall 21 of the cotton module 13, and a secondend wall member 2.39 attached to the top member 2.31 and dependingdownwardly from the top member 2.31 for covering at least a portion ofthe second end wall 23 of the cotton module 13. Flaps 2.41 may beattached to the side edges of each end wall member 2.37, 2.39 forextending from the side edges of each end wall member 2.37, 2.39 a shortdistance around each corner of the cotton module 13 as clearly shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. The first side wall member 2.33 preferably includes afirst side wall extension panel 2.151 for covering the mid portion ofthe first side wall 17 of the cotton module 13. The second side wallmember 2.35 preferably includes a second side wall extension panel 2.153for covering the mid portion of the second side wall 19 of the cottonmodule 13. The first and second side wall extension panels 2.151, 2.153are preferably constructed out of an air-porous material such as nettingor the like, sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to the lower edge of thewater-proof or water-repellent sheet of canvas, plastic or the like thatforms the top portion of each side wall member 2.33, 2.35.

The cover 2.28 includes securing means for securing the cap 2.29 to thecotton module 13. The securing means preferably includes an uppersecuring means 2.49 for securing the cap 2.29 to the cotton module 13 ata point slightly below the top 15 of the cotton module 13, and a lowersecuring means 2.51 for securing the cap 2.29 to the cotton module 13 ata spaced distance below the upper securing means 2.49. The uppersecuring means 2.49 is preferably attached to at least one of the wallmembers 2.33, 2.35, 2.37, 2.39 at a point slightly below the top member2.31. Likewise, the lower securing means 2.51 is preferably attached toat least one of the wall members 2.33, 2.35, 2.37, 2.39 at a spaceddistance below the upper securing means 2.49.

The upper securing means 2.49 preferably includes an elongated strapmeans 2.59 for extending around the wall members 2.33, 2.35, 2.37, 2.39to encircle a cotton module 13 at a point slightly below the top 15 ofthe cotton module 13 as will now be apparent to those skilled in theart. The strap means 2.59 preferably includes an elongated first strapmember 2.155 sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to the first side wallmember 2.33 at a point slightly below the top member 2.31, andpreferably includes an elongated second strap member 2.157 sewn orotherwise fixedly attached to the second side wall member 2.35 at apoint slightly below the top member 2.31. Each elongated strap member2.155, 2.157 may consist of an elongated length of fabric webbing, flatrope, or the like as will now be apparent to those skilled in the artwith the mid portion thereof sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to theside wall members 2.33, 2.35 at a point slightly below the top member2.31 and with the opposite ends thereof capable of extending around theend walls 21, 23 of the cotton module 13, etc., as will now be apparentto those skilled in the art.

The lower securing means 2.51 preferably includes an elongated strapmeans 2.67 for extending around the wall members 2.33, 2.35, 2.37, 2.39to encircle a cotton module 13 at a spaced distance below the strapmeans 2.59 of the upper securing means 2.49. The strap means 2.67preferably includes an elongated first strap member 2.159 sewn orotherwise fixedly attached to the first side wall member 2.33 at aspaced distance below the first strap member 2.155, and preferablyincludes an elongated second strap member 2.161 sewn or otherwisefixedly attached to the second side wall member 2.35 at a spaceddistance below the second strap member 2.157. Each elongated strapmember 2.159, 2.161 may consist of an elongated length of fabricwebbing, flat rope, or the like as will now be apparent to those skilledin the art with the mid portion thereof sewn or otherwise fixedlyattached to the side wall members 2.33, 2.35 at a spaced distance belowthe respective strap members 2.155, 2.157 and with the opposite endsthereof capable of extending around the end walls 21, 23 of the cottonmodule 13, etc., as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The upper securing means 2.49 preferably includes upper fastening meansfor fastening the elongated strap means 2.59 of the upper securing means2.49 about the perimeter of a cotton module 13. The upper fasteningmeans preferably includes a first upper fastening means 2.163 forfastening one end of the first strap member 2.155 and one end of thesecond strap member 2.157 together, and a second upper fastening means2.165 for fastening the other end of the first strap member 2.155 andthe other end of the second strap member 2.157 together. The specificconstruction and operation of the fastening means 2.163, 2.165 may varyas will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example,the fastening means 2.163, 2.165 may consist of various buckles and thelike, may merely consist of a knot tying the respective ends of thestrap members 2.155, 2.157 together, etc. The fastening means 2.163,2.165 are preferably identical in structure and operation to the upperfastening means 101 of the upper securing means 49 of the cover 28 andreference should be made to the above description of the upper fasteningmeans 101 for a full and complete understanding of the preferredconstruction of the fastening means 2.163, 2.165.

The lower securing means 2.51 preferably includes lower fastening meansfor fastening the elongated strap means 2.67 of the lower securing means2.51 about the perimeter of a cotton module 13. The lower fasteningmeans preferably includes a first lower fastening means 2.167 forfastening one end of the first strap member 2.159 and one end of thesecond strap member 2.1617 together, and a second lower fastening means2.169 for fastening the other end of the first strap member 2.159 andthe other end of the second strap member 2.161 together. The specificconstruction and operation of the fastening means 2.167, 2.169 may varyas will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example,the fastening means 2.167, 2.169 may consist of various buckles and thelike, may merely consist of a knot tying the respective ends of thestrap members 2.159, 2.161 together, etc. The fastening means 2.167,2.169 are preferably identical in structure and operation to the upperfastening means 101 of the upper securing means 49 of the cover 28 andreference should be made to the above description of the upper fasteningmeans 101 for a full and complete understanding of the preferredconstruction of the fastening means 2.167, 2.169.

As thus constructed, the cover 2.28 can be used with a typical cottonmodule 13 to protect at least a portion of the cotton module 13 fromwind, rain, etc. More specifically, the cap 2.29 can be merely placedover the top 15 of the cotton module 13 with the first side wall member2.33 covering the upper and mid portions of the first side wall 17, withthe second side wall member 2.35 covering the upper and mid portions ofthe second side wall 19, with the first end wall member 2.37 coveringthe upper and mid portions of the first end wall 21, and with the secondend wall member 2.39 covering the upper and mid portions of the secondend wall 23. At least one end of the cap 2.29 (e.g., the second end wallmember 2.39 and associated flaps 2.41) is preferably sewn or otherwisefixedly constructed in the box-like shape (e.g., with the second endwall member 2.39 and associated flaps 2.41 folded and sewn or otherwisefixedly attached to the side wall members 2.33, 2.35 along the fold2.171 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) similar to a fitted bed sheet whilethe other end (e.g., the first end wall member 2.37 and associated flaps2.41) is preferably loose or flat to allow the user to fold the that endaround the respective end of the cotton module 13 in a manner similar toa flat bed sheet after the "fitted" end has been placed over itsassociated end of the cotton module 13 as will now be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The upper and lower securing means 2.49, 2.51 canthen be tightened about the perimeter of the cotton module 13 to securethe cap 2.29 over the top 15 of the cotton module 13 as will now beapparent to those skilled in the art.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated withrespect to preferred embodiments and a preferred use therefor, it is notto be so limited since modifications and changes can be made thereinwhich are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A cover for protecting at least a portion of a cotton modulehaving a top, first and second side walls, and first and second endwalls, the cover comprising:a) a cap for covering the top of a cottonmodule; the cap including a top member for covering the top of thecotton module, a first side wall member attached to the top member anddepending downwardly from the top member for covering at least a portionof the first side wall of the cotton module, a second side wall memberattached to the top member and depending downwardly from the top memberfor covering at least a portion of the second side wall of the cottonmodule, a first end wall member attached to the top member and dependingdownwardly from the top member for covering at least a portion of thefirst end wall of the cotton module, and a second end wall memberattached to the top member and depending downwardly from the top memberfor covering at least a portion of the second end wall of the cottonmodule; said cap including upper channel means and lower channel means;the upper channel means including a first upper channel member on thefirst side wall member at a point slightly below the top member, thefirst upper channel member having a passageway therethrough; the upperchannel means including a second upper channel member on the second sidewall member at a point slightly below the top member, the second upperchannel member having a passageway therethrough; the lower channel meansincluding a first lower channel member on the first end wall member at aspaced distance below the upper channel means, the first lower channelmember having a passageway therethrough; the lower channel meansincluding a second lower channel member on the second end wall member ata spaced distance below the upper channel means, the second lowerchannel member having a passageway therethrough; b) upper securing meansfor securing the cap to the cotton module at a point slightly below thetop of the cotton module; the upper securing means being attached to atleast one of the wall members at a point slightly below the top member;the upper securing means including elongated strap means for extendingthrough the passageway in the first upper channel member, through thepassageway in the second upper channel member, and around the side andend walls of a cotton module at a point slightly below the top of thecotton module; c) lower securing means for securing the cap to thecotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securing means; thelower securing means being attached to at least one of the wall membersat a spaced distance below the upper securing means; the second securingmeans including elongated strap means for extending through thepassageway in the first lower channel member, through the passageway inthe second lower channel member, and around the side and end walls of acotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securing means; d)hanger means for hanging the elongated strap means of the lower securingmeans from the elongated strap means of the upper securing means; thehanger means including a first hanger member having an upper end coupledto the elongated strap means of the upper securing means at a pointalong the first side wall of a cotton module between the first end wallof the cotton module and the center of the first side wall of the cottonmodule, the first hanger member having a lower end,coupled to theelongated strap means of the lower securing means; the hanger meansincluding a second hanger member having an upper end coupled to theelongated strap means of the upper securing means at a point along thefirst side wall of the cotton module between the second end wall of thecotton module and the center of the first side wall of the cottonmodule, the second hanger member having a lower end coupled to theelongated strap means of the lower securing means; the hanger meansincluding a third hanger member having an upper end coupled to theelongated strap means of the upper securing means at a point along thesecond side wall of a cotton module between the first end wall of thecotton module and the center of the second side wall of the cottonmodule, the first hanger member having a lower end coupled to theelongated strap means of the lower securing means; and in which thehanger means includes a fourth hanger member having an upper end coupledto the elongated strap means of the upper securing means at a pointalong the second side wall of the cotton module between the second endwall of the cotton module and the center of the second side wall of thecotton module, the second hanger member having a lower end coupled tothe elongated strap means of the lower securing means; the first upperchannel member having a first notch therein at a point along the firstside wall member between the first end wall member and the center of thefirst side wall member for allowing the first hanger member to extendtherethrough into the passageway of the first upper channel member andabout the elongated strap means of the upper securing means; the firstupper channel member having a second notch therein at a point along thefirst side wall member between the second end wall member and the centerof the first side wall member for allowing the second hanger member toextend therethrough into the passageway of the first upper channelmember and about the elongated strap means of the upper securing means;the second upper channel member having a first notch therein at a pointalong the second side wall member between the first end wall member andthe center of the second side wall member for allowing the third hangermember to extend therethrough into the passageway of the second upperchannel member and about the elongated strap means of the upper securingmeans; the second upper channel member having a second notch therein ata point along the second side wall member between the second end wallmember and the center of the second side wall member for allowing thefourth hanger member to extend therethrough into the passageway of thesecond upper channel member and about the elongated strap means of theupper securing means.
 2. A cover for protecting at least a portion of acotton module having a top, first and second side walls, and first andsecond end walls, the cover comprising:a) a cap for covering the top ofa cotton module; the cap including a top member for covering the top ofthe cotton module, a first side wall member attached to the top memberand depending downwardly from the top member for covering at least aportion of the first side wall of the cotton module, a second side wallmember attached to the top member and depending downwardly from the topmember for covering at least a portion of the second side wall of thecotton module, a first end wall member attached to the top member anddepending downwardly from the top member for covering at least a portionof the first end wall of the cotton module, and a second end wall memberattached to the top member and depending downwardly from the top memberfor covering at least a portion of the second end wall of the cottonmodule; said cap including upper channel means and lower channel means;the upper channel means including a first upper channel member on thefirst side wall member at a point slightly below the top member, thefirst upper channel member having a passageway therethrough; the upperchannel means including a second upper channel member on the second sidewall member at a point slightly below the top member, the second upperchannel member having a passageway therethrough; the lower channel meansincluding a first lower channel member on the first end wall member at aspaced distance below the upper channel means, the first lower channelmember having a passageway therethrough; the lower channel meansincluding a second lower channel member on the second end wall member ata spaced distance below the upper channel means, the second lowerchannel member having a passageway therethrough; b) upper securing meansfor securing the cap to the cotton module at a point slightly below thetop of the cotton module; the upper securing means being attached to atleast one of the wall members at a point slightly below the top member;the upper securing means including elongated strap means for extendingthrough the passageway in the first upper channel member, through thepassageway in the second upper channel member, and around the side andend walls of a cotton module at a point slightly below the top of thecotton module; a portion of the elongated strap means of the uppersecuring means being fixed to the first side wall member at a pointslightly below the top member; a portion of the elongated strap means ofthe upper securing means being fixed to the second side wall member at apoint slightly below the top member; and c) lower securing means forsecuring the cap to the cotton module at a spaced distance below theupper securing means; the lower securing means being attached to atleast one of the wall members at a spaced distance below the uppersecuring means; the second securing means including elongated strapmeans for extending through the passageway in the first lower channelmember, through the passageway in the second lower channel member, andaround the side and end walls of a cotton module at a spaced distancebelow the upper securing means; a portion of the elongated strap meansof the lower securing means being fixed to the first side wall member aspaced distance below the elongated strap means of the upper securingmeans; a portion of the elongated strap means of the lower securingmeans being fixed to the second side wall member a spaced distance belowthe elongated strap means of the upper securing means.
 3. A cover forprotecting at least a portion of a cotton module having a top, first andsecond side walls, and first and second end walls, the covercomprising:a) a cap for covering the top of a cotton module; the capincluding a top member for covering the top of the cotton module, afirst side wall member attached to the top member and dependingdownwardly from the top member for covering at least a portion of thefirst side wall of the cotton module, a second side wall member attachedto the top member and depending downwardly from the top member forcovering at least a portion of the second side wall of the cottonmodule, a first end wall member attached to the top member and dependingdownwardly from the top member for covering at least a portion of thefirst end wall of the cotton module, and a second end wall memberattached to the top member and depending downwardly from the top memberfor covering at least a portion of the second end wall of the cottonmodule; said cap including upper channel means and lower channel means;the upper channel means including a first upper channel member on thefirst side wall member at a point slightly below the top member, thefirst upper channel member having a passageway therethrough; the upperchannel means including a second upper channel member on the second sidewall member at a point slightly below the top member, the second upperchannel member having a passageway therethrough; the lower channel meansincluding a first lower channel member on the first end wall member at aspaced distance below the upper channel means, the first lower channelmember having a passageway therethrough; the lower channel meansincluding a second lower channel member on the second end wall member ata spaced distance below the upper channel means, the second lowerchannel member having a passageway therethrough; b) upper securing meansfor securing the cap to the cotton module at a point slightly below thetop of the cotton module; the upper securing means being attached to atleast one of the wall members at a point slightly below the top member;the upper securing means including elongated strap means for extendingthrough the passageway in the first upper channel member, through thepassageway in the second upper channel member, and around the side andend walls of a cotton module at a point slightly below the top of thecotton module; the upper securing means including upper fastening meansfor fastening the elongated strap means of the upper securing meansabout the perimeter of a cotton module; the elongated strap means of theupper securing means having a first end and a second end; the upperfastening means including a first ring means attached to the first endof the elongated strap means of the upper securing means, a second ringmeans attached to the second end of the elongated strap means of theupper strap means, and tongue means having a first end for beingattached to the first end of the elongated strap means of the uppersecuring means and having a second end for extending first through thesecond ring means of the upper fastening means and then through thefirst ring means of the upper fastening means for causing the first andsecond ends of the elongated strap means of the upper securing means tobe simultaneously pulled in opposite directions toward one another whenthe tongue means of the upper fastening means is pulled in onedirection; and c) lower securing means for securing the cap to thecotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securing means; thelower securing means being attached to at least one of the wall memberat a spaced distance below the upper securing means; the second securingmeans including elongated strap means for extending through thepassageway in the first lower channel member, through the passageway inthe second lower channel member, and around the side and end walls of acotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securing means; thelower securing means including lower fastening means for fastening theelongated strap means of the lower securing means about the perimeter ofthe cotton module; the elongated strap means of the lower securing meanshaving a first end and a second end; the lower fastening means includinga first ring means attached to the first end of the elongated strapmeans of the lower securing means, a second ring means attached to thesecond end of the elongated strap means of the lower strap means, andtongue means having a first end for being attached to the first end ofthe elongated strap means of the lower securing means and having asecond end for extending first through the second ring means of thelower fastening means and then through the first ring means of the lowerfastening means for causing the first and second ends of the elongatedstrap means of the lower securing means to be simultaneously pulled inopposite directions toward one another when the tongue means of thelower fastening means is pulled in one direction.
 4. A cover forprotecting at least a portion of a cotton module having a top, first andsecond side walls, and first and second end walls, the covercomprising:a) a cap for covering the top of a cotton module; the capincluding a top member for covering the top of the cotton module, afirst side wall member attached to the top member and dependingdownwardly from the top member for covering at least a portion of thefirst side wall of the cotton module, a second side wall member attachedto the top member and depending downwardly from the top member forcovering at least a portion of the second side wall of the cottonmodule, a first end wall member attached to the top member and dependingdownwardly from the top member for covering at least a portion of thefirst end wall of the cotton module, and a second end wall memberattached to the top member and depending downwardly from the top memberfor covering at least a portion of the second end wall of the cottonmodule; b) upper channel means including a first upper channel member onthe first side wall member at a point slightly below the top member anda second upper channel member on the second side wall member at a pointslightly below the top member, the first and second upper channelmembers having passageways therethrough; c) upper securing means forsecuring the cap to the cotton module at a point slightly below the topof the cotton module; the upper securing means being attached to atleast one of the wall members at a point slightly below the top member;the upper securing means including elongated strap means for extendingthrough the passageways in the first and second upper channel membersand around the side and end walls of a cotton module at a point slightlybelow the top of the cotton module; d) lower channel means including afirst lower channel member on the first end wall member at a spaceddistance below the upper channel means and a second lower channel memberon the second end wall member at a spaced distance below the upperchannel means, the first and second lower channel members havingpassageways therethrough; e) lower securing means for securing the capto the cotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securingmeans; the lower securing means being attached to at least one of thewall members at a spaced distance below the upper securing means; thesecond securing means including elongated strap means fop extendingthrough the passageways in the first and second lower channel membersand around the side and end walls of a cotton module at a spaceddistance below the elongated strap means of the upper securing means; f)hanger means for hanging the elongated strap means of the lower securingmeans from the elongated strap means of the upper securing means; thehanger means including a first hanger member having an upper end coupledto the elongated strap means of the upper securing means at a pointalong the first side wall of a cotton module between the first end wallof the cotton module and the center of the first side wall of the cottonmodule, the first hanger member having a lower end coupled to theelongated strap means of the lower securing means; the hanger meansincluding a second hanger member having an upper end coupled to theelongated strap means of the upper securing means at a point along thefirst side wall of the cotton module between the second end wall of thecotton module and the center of the first side wall of the cottonmodule, the second hanger member having a lower end coupled to theelongated strap means of the lower securing means; the hanger meansincluding a third hanger member having an upper end coupled to theelongated strap means of the upper securing means at a point along thesecond side wall of a cotton module between the first end wall of thecotton module and the center of the second side wall of the cottonmodule, the first hanger member having a lower end coupled to theelongated strap means of the lower securing means; the hanger meansincluding a fourth hanger member having an upper end coupled to theelongated strap means of the upper securing means at a point along thesecond side wall of the cotton module between the second end wall of thecotton module and the center of the second side wall of the cottonmodule, the second hanger member having a lower end coupled to theelongated strap means of the lower securing means; first upper channelmember having a first notch therein at a point along the first side wallmember between the first end wall member and the center of the firstside wall member for allowing the first hanger member to extendtherethrough into the passageway of the first upper channel member andabout the elongated strap means of the upper securing means; the firstupper channel member having a second notch therein at a point along thefirst side wall member between the second end wall member and the centerof the first side wall member for allowing the second hanger member toextend therethrough into the passageway of the first upper channelmember and about the elongated strap means of the upper securing means;the second upper channel member having a first notch therein at a pointalong the second side wall member between the first end wall member andthe center of the second side wall member for allowing the third hangermember to extend therethrough into the passageway of the second upperchannel member and about the elongated strap means of the upper securingmeans; the second upper channel member having a second notch therein ata point along the second side wall member between the second end wallmember and the center of the second side wall member for allowing thefourth hanger member to extend therethrough into the passageway of thesecond upper channel member and about the elongated strap means of theupper securing means.
 5. A cover for protecting at least a portion of acotton module having a top, first and second side walls, and first andsecond end walls, the cover comprising:a) a cap for covering the top ofa cotton module; the cap including a top member for covering the top ofthe cotton module, a first side wall member attached to the top memberand depending downwardly from the top member for covering at least aportion of the first side wall of the cotton module, a second side wallmember attached to the top member and depending downwardly from the topmember for covering at least a portion of the second side wall of thecotton module, a first end wall member attached to the top member anddepending downwardly from the top member for covering at least a portionof the first end wall of the cotton module, and a second end wall memberattached to the top member and depending downwardly from the top memberfor covering at least a portion of the second end wall of the cottonmodule; b) upper securing means for securing the cap to the cottonmodule at a point slightly below the top of the cotton module; the uppersecuring means being attached to at least one of the wall members at apoint slightly below the top member; the upper securing means includingelongated strap means for extending around the side and end walls of acotton module at a point slightly below the top of the cotton module;the upper securing means including upper fastening means for fasteningthe elongated strap means of the upper securing means about theperimeter of a cotton module; the elongated strap means of the uppersecuring means having a first end and a second end; the upper fasteningmeans including a first ring means attached to the first end of theelongated strap means of the upper securing means, a second ring meansattached to the second end of the elongated strap means of the upperstrap means, and tongue means having a first end for being attached tothe first end of the elongated strap means of the upper securing meansand having a second end for extending first through the second ringmeans of the upper fastening means and then through the first ring meansof the upper fastening means for causing the first and second ends ofthe elongated strap means of the upper securing means to besimultaneously pulled in opposite directions toward one another when thetongue means of the upper fastening means is pulled in one direction;and c) lower securing means for securing the cap to the cotton module ata spaced distance below the upper securing means; the lower securingmeans being attached to at least one of the wall members at a spaceddistance below the upper securing means; the second securing meansincluding elongated strap means for extending around the side and endwalls of a cotton module at a spaced distance below the upper securingmeans; the lower securing means including lower fastening means forfastening the elongated strap means of the lower securing means aboutthe perimeter of the cotton module; the elongated strap means of thelower securing means having a first end and a second end; the lowerfastening means including a first ring means attached to the first endof the elongated strap means of the lower securing means, a second ringmeans attached to the second end of the elongated strap means of thelower strap means, and tongue means having a first end for beingattached to the first end of the elongated strap means of the lowersecuring means and having a second end for extending first through thesecond ring means of the lower fastening means and then through thefirst ring means of the lower fastening means for causing the first andsecond ends of the elongated strap means of the lower securing means tobe simultaneously pulled in opposite directions toward one another whenthe tongue means of the lower fastening means is pulled in onedirection.